Tanzania - Africa's Most Unique Destination

Africa is a continent often overlooked by holidaymakers, yet it has so much to offer. Tanzania is the perfect place for your first holiday to Africa as it encapsulates so much all in one country. This also makes it great even if you have been to Africa before as you may have only experienced one of the aspects that Tanzania offers when you visited another country. In this article, we’ll take you through three experiences and places that make Tanzania Africa’s most unique destination.

Safari
If you’ve been on holiday to anywhere in Africa outside of the North or ever even looked at it, going on Safari was probably what you went or were looking at going for. Destinations such as Kenya and South Africa are popular for this, but Tanzania offers excellent chances to see the Big 5 in some of the most gorgeous scenery in all of Africa. This is what makes Tanzania stand out for safari, whilst it offers many of the same animals that you can find in other countries, it is the backdrop with which you can see these animals that is truly breathtaking. Tanzania is home to the world-renowned Serengeti National Park which is one of the most popular safari destinations in the country. Other popular safari areas are Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. All three are also in tribal lands which allows travellers to experience and soak up the culture alongside the stunning views and wildlife. Tanzania is a massive country though, and all of these reserves and parks are in the north of the country. Choose to split your time and try a Safari further south for a different experience that can be more intimate. We suggest Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park.

Where you go, and the time of year you go is an important choice as it can affect what you see and the weather whilst you are there. It is best to go between June and October for a safari. If you want to go for calving season, then this is in January and February and then the wildebeest migration is in June and July, so think about what you want to see and try and go accordingly. 

Zanzibar
Zanzibar is an island off the northern coast of Tanzania that immediately transports you from the grasslands and mountains of the mainland to a gorgeous Indian Ocean oasis with soft white sand beaches and crystal clear, turquoise waters. A popular spot for honeymooners and those seeking to relax, it can make an excellent twin centre with a safari or recharge after a trek in the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. The island's capital is Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers a mix of Arabic and Swahili culture with historic buildings, mosques and bathhouses that is well worth a visit. 

The best time to go to Zanzibar is in January, February and December when temperatures average between 28˚C and 29˚C and rainfall is very rare.  You can fly to Zanzibar from London or if you are doing a twin-centre holiday then you can fly from Arusha, near the northern safari areas. 

Kilimanjaro
The highest mountain in Africa and an extinct volcano, Mount Kilimanjaro attracts lots of ambitious hikers to take on its slopes. There are three cones of the volcano called Kibo, Mawenzi and Shir and around 35,000 people try to reach the summit each year. If you aren’t an avid climber then you can still visit and walk around the vast Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and there are many camps to stop at. There are 7 routes of varying difficulties if you are trying to visit one of the cones. 

We hope that we have shown you just some of the things that make Tanzania a truly remarkable destination.  To find out more about holidays to Tanzania and Zanzibar visit our page about it on our Wintasun site or call us on 01157843388. If you’re wanting to book, call us, email enquiries@ct4ntravel.co.uk or fill in our contact form with what you’re looking for and we’ll be more than happy to help you out. Don't forget to follow us on social media to find out the next Destination of the Week and find out about our other destinations here at Wintasun. If you've been to Tanzania, where was your favourite place? What was the best thing you did, or do you think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments or on social media, just click the buttons below which take you to our social pages.